Police: Gunman had prior dispute with bank manager he took hostage

Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez held a news news conference Monday afternoon to release additional details, photos and a 911 tape, of a SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. The released photos included those of the suspect, Myung Jae Kim, 54, and photos of the homemade bombs found at the scene and on Kim. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

BUENA PARK – A man shot and injured by SWAT officers was purposely targeting a manager held hostage at Saehan Bank, where he showed up for a "methodically planned" robbery attempt armed with a sawed-off shotgun and homemade explosives, authorities said Monday.

Myung Jae Kim, 54, of Irvine remains in critical condition, as police Monday asked the Orange County District Attorney's Office to file attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, burglary and other weapons-related charges against him.

Buena Park police Chief Corey Sianez at a Monday news conference indicated that Kim was specifically targeting the female bank manager, who previously worked at a bank in Garden Grove that Kim was involved in a dispute with.

"He was out a large sum of money and believed the bank responsible," Sianez said.

In 911 tapes of the incident released Monday, a female caller calmly reported a man with a gun who had "a complaint" with the bank.

Authorities have not outlined the details of the dispute between the bank and Kim, who reportedly demanded $250,000 during the hours-long standoff with police.

Officers responded to the bank near Beach Boulevard and Los Coyotes Drive about 11 a.m. Thursday.

Police say Kim agreed to a request that everyone but the manager be released from the building. Authorities say Kim made sporadic contact with negotiators as Buena Park police SWAT officers and other law enforcement officials surrounded the building.

"He made it clear that he would kill himself and his hostage if he didn't get what he wanted," Sianez said.

Sianez disputed initial police reports that Kim was coaxed out of the bank with the delivery of food, saying it was a phone that authorities provided for him.

When Kim left the building with the hostage, authorities say, he fired one shot from the gun toward officers, who returned fire and struck him multiple times. Sianez said Kim fired a shot at the bank manager but missed.

Three officers sustained minor injuries to their arms, legs and hands due to shrapnel and glass. The manager was escorted away unharmed.

A pipe bomb was found in Kim's pocket, Sianez said, along with three other pipe bombs inside the bank. The explosives within the business were reportedly found on a table next to a cigarette lighter, a knife and extra ammunition for the shotgun.

Search warrants carried out by the FBI at Kim's home in Irvine and his water-filtration business in Garden Grove turned up "bomb-making material" that was collected for evidence, authorities said.

Kim has undergone multiple surgeries since the shooting and remains hospitalized, Sianez said. Authorities say he didn't appear to have any criminal history.

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Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez held a news news conference Monday afternoon to release additional details, photos and a 911 tape, of a SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. The released photos included those of the suspect, Myung Jae Kim, 54, and photos of the homemade bombs found at the scene and on Kim. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
During a news conference Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, right, refers to a board containing photos of Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Buena Park Police provided this photo of Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. Kim remains in critical condition after being shot in the incident. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
During a news conference Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, right, refers to a board containing photos of Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week, the pipe bombs found at the scene and the exterior of the Saehan Bank. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A photo shows shotgun shells, a knife and three of the four pipe bombs Buena Park Police found at the scene of the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. The forth pipe bomb was found in the pocket of the suspect Myung Jae Kim, 54. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A set of photos displayed by the Buena Park Police Department show Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week, the pipe bombs found at the scene and the exterior of the Saehan Bank. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, left, holds a news conference to provide additional information, including the 911 tapes, and photos regarding the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week.. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, center, holds a news conference to provide additional information, including the 911 tapes, and photos regarding the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The image of Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in last weeks SWAT SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week is seen at left as Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez, right, holds a news news conference Monday afternoon. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Buena Park Police Chief Corey S. Sianez holds a news conference to provide additional information, including the 911 tapes, and photos regarding the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Buena Park Police provided this photo of Myung Jae Kim, 54, the suspect in the SWAT hostage situation at Saehan Bank last week. Kim remains in critical condition after being shot in the incident. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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